Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin has been summoned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

The investigation is focused on alleged financial irregularities during Azharuddin's stint as president of the HCA, for which the ED conducted searches in November of last year.

The 61-year-old former Member of Parliament (MP) has been summoned to appear before the federal agency at its headquarters here on October 3.

The money laundering case comes from three FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) alleging criminal theft of HCA funds totaling Rs 20 crores.

Azharuddin played 99 Tests and 334 One-Day Internationals for India between 1985 and 2000. He scored 15,593 runs in all formats, including 29 centuries and 79 fifties. Known for his wristy strokeplay, the top-order batter began his career on a high note.

He remains the only batter in Test cricket to hit centuries in each of his first three Tests.

Azharuddin also captained India from 1989-1996 and then from 1997-1999 including three World Cups in 1992, 1996 and 1999. His career ended unexpectedly in 2000 following charges of match-fixing and a subsequent lifetime ban. He finally entered politics, joining Congress in 2009.

(PTI inputs)